Wild Portugal: Birds, Alpine Flora & Prehistoric

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Wild Portugal: Birds, Alpine Flora & Prehistoric Art

Naturetrek Tour Report 22 – 29 July 2015

View from the Serra Da Estrela View from Castelo Rodrigo

Report compiled by Philip Thompson Images by Tom Mabbett

Naturetrek Mingledown Barn Wolf's Lane Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 3HJ UK T: +44 (0)1962 733051 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk

Wild Portugal: Birds, Alpine Flora & Prehistoric Art Tour Report

Tour Participants: Philip Thompson and Laura Benito (leaders) with 10 Naturetrek clients

Day 1 Wednesday 22nd July

The group arrived on time into Porto Airport, and soon our vehicles were loaded and we were on the road, heading for our first hotel in Castelo Rodrigo. Few birds were seen in the early stages of the journey as we sped along the good motorways. Once we had turned off onto minor roads for the final leg of the journey we began to see a few raptors and shrikes. We stopped at a suitable pull in for a light lunch and to acclimatise to the hot dry conditions.

Moving on, we were soon climbing towards the hilltop town of Castelo Rodrigo with its ruined castle on the summit. Our hotel was located within the old town just below the castle, where we were soon allocated rooms for our stay.

Day 2 Thursday 23rd July

Today we headed north to explore the Douro valley. En route we stopped at a roadside viewpoint which was opposite some cliffs where a small colony of Griffon Vultures breed. A couple of birds were seen below us settled on the grassy slopes, and there were a few ‘flyby’ individuals.

We drove on to cross the river Douro at Barca D’Alva, and a short distance further we turned off to travel up the gorge of Calcada de Alpajares. We drove to the top of the valley where we parked and undertook the walking route that led back down towards the Douro. A fine start was had with the sighting of a pair of Golden Eagles soaring above us, mixed in with the local Griffon Vultures. The walk initially dropped down to the small river, which at this time of year was reduced to isolated pools. These pools held numerous Iberian Water Frogs and a few Spanish Terrapins. From here the path climbed slowly before beginning its decent to one of our tour vehicles. The old mule pack trail passed through some lovely scenery to cross the river a second time lower down. Here, in the water, a couple of the highly aquatic Viperine Snakes were seen. As we entered an area of orchards we began to encounter good numbers of Bee-eaters and a couple of Hawfinches.

Once the group had all gathered back at the vehicles, we drove on along the Douro and took another side road, which climbed steeply up to the cliffs above. We eventually arrived at a spectacular high viewpoint where we had our lunch followed by some time spent enjoying the view and watching the Griffon Vultures drift by. We were then lucky with the sighting of a Black Stork that passed nearby.

With the temperatures rising we made our way back to the hotel in good time to relax and swim before our dinner.

Day 3 Friday 24th July

We began with an early start to make best use of the cooler early morning. Our first stop was in an area of cereal crops where we found a large mixed flock of Spanish Sparrows and Corn Buntings in the open grassy ground. On the dusty trackside a young Spiny-footed Lizard was found.

Wild Portugal: Birds, Alpine Flora & Prehistoric Art Tour Report

From here we continued to our main destination of the day; a visit to the Faia Brava Reserve. The rough rocky tracks that led through the reserve were quite an adventure in themselves, but we made a number of stops and walks during our visit. The first stop was opposite the vulture feeding station where we sat in the shade to wait once the meat and scraps had been deposited in the ‘arena’. The local vultures began to assemble almost immediately and it was not long before birds began to settle in the ringside trees. Among the many Griffon Vultures were a couple of the much scarcer Egyptian Vultures, which joined the throng. This species is the main reason for the feeding station as they are a declining species throughout Europe. Once the main vulture feeding had subsided and birds had begun to drift away, a cheeky local Red Fox was then observed sneaking in to gather bones and got out under the fence to stash them elsewhere!

With our appetites suitably stimulated we moved a short distance to our own picnic lunch, taken in the reserve’s simple visitor area. After a leisurely meal we drove on once more. Another walk was taken towards a rocky overhang that holds one of the only Palaeolithic rock paintings in the Coa Valley. A few of the group were lucky in sighting the bull of the introduced and free ranging Maronesa Cattle that are such an important part of the ‘Rewilding’ project that is being carried out on the reserve. For such a large animal it soon vanished from sight into the scrubby hillside vegetation. Our walk was soon curtailed when we sighted a couple of the very rare White-rumped Swifts that were still actively visiting their nest site directly above the paintings! Enjoying excellent views of these striking birds was ample compensation for being unable to visit the paintings. A distant perched Bonelli’s Eagle was another great sighting, joined by a flyover Short-toed Snake Eagle. Returning to the vehicles, a small group of the other introduced herbivore, the Garrano Horses, were sighted approaching us along the track. These proved rather more amenable and less concerned by our presence than the Maronesa bull and came close by allowing a prolonged view.

Next we left the reserve and stopped at a bridge crossing the Coa River where we enjoyed the scenery and spotted a couple of Subalpine Warblers in the scrub. We then returned to the hotel for an earlier dinner before venturing out for a highlight excursion; an evening visit to the rock art engravings for which the Coa valley has been designated a World Heritage Site. This was a wonderful experience as we set out in the gathering dusk to arrive in the dark at the river valley. We had a guided explanation and demonstration via torchlight of these amazing images carved onto the rocks by our early ancestors. The quiet peaceful setting and truly dark skies allowing a rare opportunity to see the Milky Way and other stars, which added to a memorable experience.

Day 4 Saturday 25th July

After our previous long day we had a more leisurely start, and we undertook the transfer from the hot river valleys and lowlands to the high peaks of the Serra de Estrela.

We began with a morning stop in the historic fortified town of Almeida. Here we spent a couple of hours exploring the town’s buildings, military moats and fortifications before continuing our journey. This passed through some stunning parkland ‘Montado’ habitat. Our constant vigilance and scanning failed to spot the hoped for Black-winged Kite but did produce numerous shrikes and Bee-eaters on the wires.

Our route led to the tranquil waterside picnic site at Aldeia da Porte. We stopped here for lunch before continuing to our destination; the Serra de Estrela. We passed through the main town of Manteigas and then climbed steeply up to our hotel at Penhas Douradas.

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Wild Portugal: Birds, Alpine Flora & Prehistoric Art Tour Report

Day 5 Sunday 26th July

We began our exploration of the Serra de Estrela National Park with a walk through the heavily forested lower levels. Our route followed a quiet forest road that led to the popular beauty spot of the Poca do Inferno; a waterfall within a narrow forest gorge.

Numerous butterflies were seen along the walk of a diverse mix of species. Several territorial Cardinal Fritillaries were seen guarding their patch of sunlight on the roadside glades, periodically flying out to deter rival males. One of the commonest species was Rock Graylings, which were similarly guarding their territories from their perches on roadside rocks. A highlight was the sighting of a splendid Striped Grayling which settled in the middle of the road, allowing a close view of its characteristic and strikingly marked underside. At a couple of sunlit bramble patches further species were found nectaring on the remaining flowers including Silver-washed, Niobe and Queen of Spain Fritillaries.

We were able to pick up a few of the characteristic woodland birds such as Nuthatch, Short-toed Treecreeper, Firecrest and Crested Tit. The couple of singing Western Bonelli’s Warblers proved tricky to pick out among the thick overhead foliage but were spotted by most with a little patience.

Peering into a roadside puddle for frogs we disturbed a Fire Salamander that quickly swam under the thick leaf litter and out of sight. Of botanical interest, a few of the attractive Linaria triornithophora were found still in flower, followed by Malva tournefortiana, and Hypericum linariifolium and undulatum. The highlights were the abundant endemic Centaurea rothmalerana found in several places along the route.

Reaching the waterfall it was found to be only a trickle at this time but remained an attractive spot. We utilised the pleasant picnic tables for our lunch before spending a little time examining the flora of the slopes above. Here we found an abundance of the Portuguese endemic Teucrium salviastrum joined by several other scarce and localised species such as Phalacrocarpum oppositifolium, Silene foetida, Saxifraga fragosoi, and Sedum hirsutum and brevifolium.

A short wander was taken after lunch to a viewpoint before we boarded the buses and took a route to higher ground. Here we were just about at the tree line with an open mix of low scrub with scattered trees. The undoubted highlight of this region was the abundant huge striking granite boulders sitting on top of most hillocks and rises. These evocative boulders of many shapes, allowing the imaginative to conjure up animals etc, are a characteristic feature of the upper regions of the park, making for a stunning landscape. Feeding from a number of burnt tree skeletons were numerous Bee-eaters, which allowed for several close views.

We stopped to take a short walk towards a nearby group of boulders to enjoy the views. The scrub covering the ground consisted of a mix of Ericas and Halimium alyssoides, a few of which were showing one or two of their attractive bright yellow flowers. From the hilltop we could view southwards towards the highest peaks of the park.

Wild Portugal: Birds, Alpine Flora & Prehistoric Art Tour Report

Day 6 Monday 27th July

Today was spent in the southern end of the park with a series of short walks on and around the highest part of Portugal. Our first stop led across a plateau towards some impressive cliffs. We saw some characteristic high altitude bird species such as Tawny Pipit and Northern Wheatear, joined by the main highlight; a couple of Common (Rufous-tailed) Rock Thrushes. We were able to enjoy prolonged views of these attractive birds before attention was drawn to a number of Short-toed Snake Eagles riding the up draughts and actively hunting in the area. Other raptors seen included some fine views of Montagu’s Harriers, Booted Eagles and Black Kites. During a spell of scanning, a Black Stork was rather unexpectedly picked up drifting our way, making a rather pleasant surprise!

The open treeless landscape here was very attractive and held several more interesting and localised species of plant that were gradually picked out among the boulders. The main highlight was a fine colony of Marsh Gentians, Gentiana pneumonanthe, in full flower in a damp grassy gorge. Of rarity value, the patches of Armeria sampaioi, a species of Thrift found only in this mountain range, were the highlight, with Campanula herminii also seen and almost as rare; this being its only location in Portugal! Flying low over this area were a number of the large Black Satyr butterflies, also only found in this range in Portugal.

We next drove on to visit Torre, the highest point of mainland Portugal at 1,993 metres, with its tower built to breach the 2,000 metre mark! A quick coffee break was taken before a walk across the grassy plateau to scan for birds and a very distant Griffon Vulture was spotted.

We drove on and stopped at a large roadside pull-in opposite an attractively carved statue of the Madonna, surrounded by an impressive collection of granite columns. We had our lunch here before taking a walk down to the stream flowing beneath the statue and the nearby meadows and rock faces. Growing on the rocks were numerous patches of Saxifraga spathularis, otherwise known as St. Patrick’s Cabbage. This is a fascinating member of the Lusitanian Flora of Ireland, found there and in Iberia with no localities in between. Several theories exist to explain the curious distribution of the 15 species involved, involving retreating ice-sheets and plant refuges now flooded by rising sea levels. Growing under a large boulder on a wet seepage were several flowering patches of the more widespread Starry Saxifrage, Saxifraga stellaris, here in its only locality in Portugal. Alongside the stream numerous patches of the attractive but diminutive flowers of Ivy-leaved Bellflower, Wahlenbergia hederacea, were seen, whilst in the water the scarce water crowfoot Ranunculus ololeucos was in flower.

Back at the vehicles we drove on a short distance to begin dropping in altitude a little. We passed through a carved rock tunnel, much used by the local Crag Martins, to pull in at a lay by on the other side. Here on this sheltered north facing rocky mountain slope a range of special endemic plants were found in flower. Immediately obvious were the large tall plants of Angelica major, a scarce Iberian endemic. Of smaller stature were a number of Silene acutifolia and the Portuguese endemic in its only location, Silene foetida ssp. foetida. Also in its only world location was the numerous tall examples of the Portuguese endemic Senecio pyrenaicus ssp. caespitosus. For the keen botanists the insignificant and easily overlooked Paronychia polygonifolia, also in its only Portuguese locality, was found in the gravel by the vehicles! With botanical interest at a frenzy, we finally moved on to retrace our route back to the hotel.

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Wild Portugal: Birds, Alpine Flora & Prehistoric Art Tour Report

Day 7 Tuesday 28th July

We began our day with a walk, exploring an area near to the hotel. We drove a short distance to a nearby lake where we left the vehicles and began our circular walk. The route initially followed the road between young conifer plantations with an underlying scrub of Erica and Halimium. These young trees held a number of Western Bonelli’s Warblers, Crested Tit and Hawfinch, all of which proved to be a little elusive for some! As we left the tarmac road and turned onto a dirt forest track we encountered a few Graylings, which when disturbed flew up to resettle on the tree trunks and rely on their cryptic camouflage to avoid detection. The route led into a large open glade with a monumental boulder nicknamed the ‘Torpedo’, here a large colony of Black Satyrs were present. There was an abundance of males patrolling for females, none of which were apparent. As we then entered the young forest, numerous Rock Graylings replaced the Black Satyrs with a similar mission in life.

We slowly made our way back to the vehicles, enjoying the views from a clear pinnacle on the way. Back at the lakeside and the vehicles, we drove the remaining short distance to a resort café for a coffee. From here we relocated to some rather Palaeolithic-looking picnic tables and seating on the lakeshore. We then had a relaxing lunch whilst nearby a couple of Schreiber’s Green Lizards were spotted among a throng of tiny froglet Iberian Frogs.

Next we drove back to the hotel where a few of the group took the opportunity to remain and relax, enjoying the facilities of our rather swish boutique accommodation! Those that opted to continue were taken for a walk alongside the large dam, Lagoa Comprida. It was a pleasant walk taken in lovely scenery. We passed another large colony of Marsh Gentians in all their splendour. The heathland through which we passed had numerous Silver- studded Blues flitting. As we walked on, the wet flush that previously had held Sundew, Drosera rotundifolia, was found to have completely dried out with no sign of the plants. With it being another hot day, we then returned to the hotel to freshen up.

Day 8 Wednesday 29th July

In contrast to the natural history explorations of the trip so far, today we were fortunate to enjoy a visit to the local ‘Burel’ factory to experience some cultural interest and an important part of the local economy. This factory has been recently re-opened and reinvigorated by the owner of the hotel where we were staying. It was a fascinating visit to see the process of wool fabric manufacture from fleece to cloth in this amazing place using antiquated looms and machinery, and now producing a high quality and desirable product sold all over the world. A little light shopping was in order after the tour before we had to make our way back to the hotel to finish loading and undertake our drive to the airport. A final picnic was taken en route to enjoy a last view before we made the return leg of our journey.

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Wild Portugal: Birds, Alpine Flora & Prehistoric Art Tour Report

Species Lists

Plants (* = Iberian Endemic; ** = Portuguese Endemic) Scientific Name Common Name

Class Gymnosperms Pinaceae Pine Family Pinus pinaster Pinus pinea Stone Pine Pinus sylvestris Scot's Pine

Cupressaceae Cypress Family Juniperus communis ssp. alpina Common Juniper Juniperus oxycedrus Prickly Juniper

Class Angiosperms Order Dicotyledons

Anacardiaceae Pistacio Family Pistacio terebinthus Turpentine Tree

Apiaceae Carrot Family Angelica major * Daucus carota Wild Carrot Eryngium campestre Field Eryngo Eryngium tenue Ferula communis Giant Fennel Foeniculum vulgare Fennel Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed Oenanthe crocata Hemlock Water Dropwort Thapsia villosa Torillis arvensis Spreading Hedge Parsley

Boraginaceae Borage Family Echium plantagineum Purple Viper's Bugloss Echium rosulatum Heliotropium europaeum Heliotrope Myosotis stolonifera * Pentaglottis sempervirens Alkanet

Brassicaceae Cress Family Barbarea intermedia Erysimum merxmuelleri *

Campanulaceae Bellflower Family Campanula herminii * Campanula lusitanica Campanula rapunculus Rampion Bellflower Jasione crispa ** Dwarf Sheepsbit Jasione montana Mountain Sheepsbit Wahlenbergia hederacea Ivy-leaved Bellflower

Caprifoliaceae Honeysuckle Family Lonicera periclymenum Woodbine

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Wild Portugal: Birds, Alpine Flora & Prehistoric Art Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Sambucus nigra Common Elder

Caryophyllaceae Pink Family Arenaria montana Arenaria querioides ssp. querioides * Cerastium fontanum Common Mouse-ear Corrigiola litoralis ssp. telephiifolia Strapwort Dianthus laricifolius ssp. laricifolius * Dianthus lusitanus Herniaria scabrida Minuartia recurva Sickle-leaved Sandwort Paronychia polygonifolia Petrorhagia nantuellii Sagina procumbens Procumbent Pearlwort Saponaria officinalis Soapwort Scleranthus polycarpos Silene acutifolia Silene ciliata Silene foetida ssp. foetida ** Silene latifolia White Campion Silene vulgaris Bladder Campion Spergularia capillacea * Spergularia purpurea Stellaria holostea Greater Stitchwort

Cistaceae Rockrose Family Cistus ladanifer Gum Cistus Cistus psilosepalus Cistus salvifolius Sage-leaved Cistus Halimium alyssoides

Convolvulaceae Bindweed Family Convolvulus arvensis Field Bindweed Cuscuta epithymum

Crassulaceae Stonecrop Family Sedum arenarium * Sedum brevifolium Sedum hirsutum Sedum pedicellatum ssp. lusitanicum* Sedum pruinatum *

Cucurbitaceae Cucumber Family Bryonia dioica White Bryony

Ericaceae Heath Family Calluna vulgaris Ling Erica arborea Tree Heath Erica ciliaris Dorset Heath Erica lusitanica Lusitanian Heath Erica tetralix Cross-leaved Heath Erica umbellata Vacinium myrtilis Bilberry

Wild Portugal: Birds, Alpine Flora & Prehistoric Art Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Vacinium uliginosum Bog Whortleberry

Fagaceae Oak Family Castinea sativa Sweet Chestnut Quercus faginea Quercus pyrenaica Pyrenean Oak Quercus robur Pedunculate Oak Quercus rotundifolia Quercus suber Cork Oak

Fabaceae Pea Family Adenocarpus argyrophyllus * Adenocarpus complicatus Cytisus multiflorus * White Broom Cytisus striatus Yellow Broom Cytisus oromediterraneus Echinospartum ibericum * Genista anglica Petty Whin Genista cinerascens * Genista florida Lathyrus sylvestris Narrow-leaved Everlasting Pea Lotus corniculatus ssp. carpetanus * Common Bird's-foot Trefoil Lotus pedunculatus Medicago lupulina Ononis spinosa Spiny Restharrow Pterospartum tridentatum Retama sphaerocarpa Trifolium pratense Red Clover Trifolium repens White Clover Trifolium augustifolium Narrow-Leaved Crimson Clover Ulex minor Dwarf Gorse Vicia angustifolia

Gentianaceae Gentian Family Blackstonia perfoliata Yellow-Wort Centaurium erythraea ssp. grandiflorum Common Centaury Gentiana lutea ssp. lutea Great Yellow Gentian Gentiana pneumonanthe Marsh Gentian

Geraniaceae Geranium Family Geranium lucidum Shiny Cranesbill Geranium pyrenaicum Geranium robertianum Herb Robert

Hypericaceae St. John's-wort Family Hypericum linariifolium Hypericum perforatum Perforate St. John's Wort Hypericum undulatum

Lamiaceae Mint Family Acinos arvensis Basil Thyme Ballota nigra Black Horehound Calamintha nepeta Lesser Calamint

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Wild Portugal: Birds, Alpine Flora & Prehistoric Art Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Clinopodium vulgare Wild Basil Lamium maculatum Spotted Deadnettle Lavandula pedunculata Lycopus europaeus Gypsywort Marrubium vulgare White Horehound Mentha suaveolens Apple Mint Prunella vulgaris Self-heal Teucrium salviastrum ** Teucrium scorodonia Wood Sage

Lythraceae Loosestrife Family Lythrum portula Water Purslane Lythrum salicaria Purple Loosestrife

Malvaceae Mallow Family Malva sylvestris Common Mallow Malva tournefortiana

Oleaceae Olive Family Fraxinus angustifolia Olea europaea Olive Phillyrea angustifolia

Papaveraceae Poppy Family Chelidonium majus Greater Celandine

Plantaginaceae Plantain Family Plantago coronopus Buck's-horn Plantain Plantago holosteum Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain

Plumbaginaceae Thrift Family Armeria beirana * Armeria sampaioi ** Armeria transmontana *

Polygonaceae Dock Family Fallopia convolvulus Black Bindweed Rumex acetosa Common Sorrel Rumex acetosella Sheep's Sorrel Rumex conglomeratus Clustered Dock

Portulaceae Purslane Family Montia fontana Blinks Portulaca oleracea Purslane

Primulaceae Primrose Family Anagallis arvensis Scarlet Pimpernel

Ranunculaceae Buttercup Family Delphinium halteratum. ssp. verdunense Ranunculus bulbosus Bulbous Buttercup Ranunculus nigrescens *

Wild Portugal: Birds, Alpine Flora & Prehistoric Art Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Ranunculus ololeucos

Resedaceae Mignonette Family Sesamoides purpurascens

Rhamnaceae Buckthorn Family Frangula alnus Alder Buckthorn

Rosaceae Rose Family Agrimonia eupatoria Agrimony Fragaria vesca Wild Strawberry Geum sylvatica Potentilla erecta Common Tormentil Rosa canina Dog Rose

Rubiaceae Bedstraw Family Galium broterianum Galium lucidum ssp. lucidum Galium verum Lady's Bedstraw

Santalaceae Sandalwood Family Osyris alba

Saxifragaceae Saxifrage Family Chrysosplenium oppositifolium Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage Saxifraga fragosoi Saxifraga spathularis Saxifraga stellaris Starry Saxifrage

Scrophulariaceae Figwort Family Anarrhinum bellidifolium Antirrhinum graniticum * Cymbalaria muralis Ivy-leaved Toadflax Digitalis purpurea Foxglove Digitalis thapsi * Linaria saxatilis * Linaria triornithophora * Scrophularia auriculata Water Figwort Scrophularia herminii * Verbascum pulverulentum Hoary Mullein Verbascum thapsus Aaron's Rod Veronica arvensis Wall Speedwell Veronica nevadensis * Veronica officinalis Common Speedwell Veronica scutellata Marsh Speedwell

Solanaceae Nightshade Family Solanum dulcamera Bittersweet

Thymelaeaceae Daphne Family Daphne gnidium Mediterranean Mezereon

Wild Portugal: Birds, Alpine Flora & Prehistoric Art Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Asteraceae Daisy Family Achillea millefolium Yarrow Andryala integrifolia Bellis perennis Daisy Bellis sylvestris Southern Daisy Carduus lusitanicus Carlina hispanica Carthamus lanatus Centaurea melitensis Centaurea nigra Lesser Knapweed Centaurea rothmalerana * Chamaemelum mixtum Chondrilla juncea Cirsium palustre Marsh Thistle Cirsium vulgare Spear Thistle Crepis capilliaris Smooth Hawksbeard Dittrichia viscosa Erigeron karvinskianus Eupatorium cannabinum Hemp Agrimony Helichrysum stoechas Lactuca serriola Prickly Lettuce Lactuca viminea Pliant Lettuce Lactuca virosa Lapsana communis Leontodon taraxacoides Hairy Hawkbit Phalacrocarpum oppositifolium * Picris hieracioides Hawkweed Ox-tongue Pilosella castellana Sonchus asper Prickly Sowthistle Sonchus oleraceus Common Sowthistle Senecio pyrenaicus ssp. caespitosus ** Senecio sylvaticus Wood Groundsel Solidago virgaurea

Ulmaceae Elm Family Ulmus minor

Urticaceae Nettle Family Parietaria judaica Pellitory-of-the-wall Urtica dioica Common Nettle Urtica membranacea

Verbenaceae Verbena Family Verbena officinalis Vervain

Order Monocotyledons Alismataceae Water-plantain Family Alisma lanceolatum

Amaryllidaceae Daffodil Family Allium sphaerocephalon Round-headed Leek

Wild Portugal: Birds, Alpine Flora & Prehistoric Art Tour Report

Scientific Name Common Name

Asparagaceae Asparagus Family Polygonatum odoratum

Orchidaceae Orchid Family Dactylorhiza maculata Heath Spotted Orchid

Xanthorrhoeaceae Asphodel Family Asphodelus macrocarpus an Asphodel

Birds (= recorded but not counted; H = heard only) July Common name Scientific name 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 1 Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa 6 8 4 1 2 Black Stork Ciconia nigra 2 1 3 White Stork Ciconia ciconia 1 4 Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus 2 4 5 Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus 30 40 2 1 6 Short-toed Snake Eagle Circaetus gallicus 1 1 2 1 4 7 Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus 1 1 2 2 3 2 8 Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos 2 9 Bonelli's Eagle Aquila fasciata 1 10 Northern Goshawk Accipiter gentilis 1 11 Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus 1 1 1 4 12 Red Kite Milvus milvus 2 1 1 1 13 Black Kite Milvus migrans 6 4 2 4 2 14 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo 2 1 1 1 1 15 Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus 1 1 1 1 1 16 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 1 17 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 2 18 Eurasian Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus 1 19 Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis 2 8 20 Rock Dove Columba livia     21 Common Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus 3     22 European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur 1 23 Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto     24 European Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus 1 25 Alpine Swift Tachymarptis melba 4 26 Common Swift Apus apus        27 Pallid Swift Apus pallidus 1 28 White-rumped Swift Apus cafer 2 29 European Bee-eater Merops apiaster 12 30 20 50 50 6 8 30 Eurasian Hoopoe Upupa epops 1 31 Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major 1 H 32 Iberian Green Woodpecker Picus sharpei 1 33 Southern Grey Shrike Lanius meridionalis 2 1 2 34 Woodchat Shrike Lanius senator 2 6 3 6 35 Eurasian Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus 1 2 H 36 Eurasian Jay Garrulus glandarius 2 1 4 37 Iberian Magpie Cyanopica cooki     38 Carrion Crow Corvus corone 2 3 2 39 Coal Tit Periparus ater  

Wild Portugal: Birds, Alpine Flora & Prehistoric Art Tour Report

40 European Crested Tit Lophophanes cristatus 4 2 41 Eurasian Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus  42 Great Tit Parus major 2 1   43 Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus  44 Woodlark Lullula arborea H 5 6 45 Eurasian Skylark Alauda arvensis 1 2 46 Crested Lark Galerida cristata    47 Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica     48 Eurasian Crag Martin Ptyonoprogne rupestris        49 Common House Martin Delichon urbicum       50 Red-rumped Swallow Cecropis daurica     51 Cetti's Warbler Cettia cetti 1 52 Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus H 53 Iberian Chiffchaff Phylloscopus ibericus H 54 Western Bonelli's Warbler Phylloscopus bonelli 2 1  55 Melodious Warbler Hippolais polyglotta 1 56 Eurasian Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla H H 57 Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis 1 1 58 Dartford Warbler Sylvia undata 4 2 1 59 Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans 2 60 Sardinian Warbler Sylvia melanocephala 2 5 61 Common Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla 4 1 1 62 Eurasian Wren Troglodytes troglodytes 1 H 1 63 Eurasian Nuthatch Sitta europaea H  64 Short-toed Treecreeper Certhia brachydactyla H H  H 65 Spotless Starling Sturnus unicolor   66 Common Blackbird Turdus merula     H 1 67 Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus 1  2 12 68 European Robin Erithacus rubecula H H H 1 69 Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata 1 70 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros       71 Common Rock Thrush Monticola saxatilis 5 72 Blue Rock Thrush Monticola solitarius 1 73 European Stonechat Saxicola rubicola 1 1 2 1 1 74 Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe 3 2 10 75 House Sparrow Passer domesticus     76 Spanish Sparrow Passer hispaniolensis 200  77 Dunnock Prunella modularis 2 6 4 78 Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea  79 White Wagtail Motacilla alba       80 Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris 4 81 Common Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs      82 Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes 2 1 83 European Greenfinch Chloris chloris H 1 84 Common Linnet Linaria cannabina       85 Red Crossbill Loxia curvirostra 3 86 European Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis       87 European Serin Serinus serinus      88 Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra 30 1 89 Rock Bunting Emberiza cia 1 3 4 6 90 Cirl Bunting Emberiza cirlus 1

Wild Portugal: Birds, Alpine Flora & Prehistoric Art Tour Report

Mammals

Red Fox, Vulpes vulpes Roe Deer, Capreolus capreolus Garrano Horse, Equus ferus caballus Maronesa Cattle, Bos taurus sp. Red Squirrel, Sciurus vulgaris

Reptiles and Amphibians

Fire Salamander, Salamandra salamandra Iberian Frog, Rana iberica Iberian Water Frog, Rana perezi Spanish Terrapin, Mauremys leprosa Spiny-footed Lizard, Acanthodactylus erythrurus Large Psammadromus , Psammodromus algirus Ocellated Lizard, Lacerta lepida Schreiber's Green Lizard, Lacerta schreiberi Iberian Rock Lizard, Lacerta monticola Viperine Water Snake, Natrix maura Grass Snake, Natrix natrix

Butterflies,

Red-underwing Skipper, Spialia sertorius Lulworth Skipper, Thymelicus acteon Small Skipper, Thymelicus sylvestris Silver-spotted Skipper, Hesperia comma Spanish Swallowtail, Iphiclides feisthamelii Brimstone, Gonepteryx rhamni Clouded Yellow, Colias crocea Small White, Pieris rapae Western Dappled White, Euchloe simplonia Wood White, Leptidea sinapis Spanish Purple Hairstreak, Laeosopis roboris Small Copper, Lycaena phlaeas Purple-shot Copper, Lycaena alciphron gordius Long-tailed Blue, Lampides boeticus Lang's Short-tailed Blue, Leptotes pirithous Brown Argus, Aricia agestis Holly Blue, Celastrina argiolus Silver-studded Blue, Plebejus argus Common Blue, Polyommatus icarus Camberwell Beauty, Nymphalis antiopa Red Admiral, Vanessa atalanta Painted Lady, Vanessa cardui Cardinal Fritillary, Argynnis pandora Silver-washed Fritillary, Argynnis paphia Queen of Spain Fritillary, Issoria lathonia Niobe Fritillary, Argynnis niobe Spotted Fritillary, Melitaea didyma Provencal Fritillary, Mellicta deione Iberian Marbled White, Melanargia lachesis Rock Grayling, Hipparchia alcyone Grayling, Hipparchia semele Tree Grayling, Neohipparchia statilinus Striped Grayling, Pseudotergumia fidia Black Satyr, Satyrus actaea Great Banded Grayling, Kanetsia circe Dusky Meadow Brown, Maniola lycaon Southern Gatekeeper, Pyronia cecilia Small Heath, Coenonympha pamphilus lyllus Speckled Wood, Pararge aegeria Wall Brown, Lasiommata megera Large Wall Brown, Lasiommata maera

Naturetrek Facebook

We are delighted to launch the Naturetrek Facebook page so that participants of Naturetrek tours can remain in touch after the holiday and share photos, comments and future travel plans.

Setting up a personal profile at www.facebook.com is quick, free and easy. The Naturetrek Facebook page is now live; do please pay us a visit!